Lorraine Christiansen, Mitchell

Lorraine Christiansen, 96, Mitchell, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.

She was born Oct. 30, 1916. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

She was born on a farm north of Emery to Frank and Margaret (Eller) Byrd. She grew up in Emery and White Lake, graduating from White Lake High School. Lorraine taught country school for a short time.

On Jan. 1, 1937, she married Norwin Christiansen. While Norwin was in the service during World War II, Lorraine became a cosmetologist.

In 1945 Norwin returned to Emery from the service and they purchased the barber shop from Bert Janssen. They operated the only barber-beauty shop combination for miles around.

In 1959 they built a new home in Emery where they later retired.

In January 1992 Norwin died, and shortly after that Lorraine moved to Mitchell, where she lived with her sister, Beulah Terveen.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the VFW, Eastern Star, Women of the Moose and lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary, where she held offices at the local and state level.

In recent years she enjoyed serving as a hostess at the Corn Palace in the summer months and working at the Senior Citizen Center, taking part in their exercise program and playing cards.

She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norwin; sisters, Arlie Janssen, Mary Heiter, Minnie McKettrick, Helen Cross and Beulah Terveen; and brothers, Wray Byrd, Charles Byrd, Max Byrd and Archie Byrd.

Tags: obituaries, mitchell

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